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Governors React To Supreme Court Draft That Strikes Down Roe v. Wade; U.S.: Putin May Declare "War" On Ukraine As Soon As May 9; Amanda Sloat, Special Assistant To President Biden, Discusses U.S. Intel Advising Putin May Declare On Ukraine By May 9. Aired 2:30-3p ET
Aired May 03, 2022 - 14:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[14:30:57]
VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN HOST: Governors across the country are reacting to the Supreme Court draft opinion that strikes down Roe v. Wade.
A lot of Republicans are vowing to instate new abortion restrictions in their states.
GOP South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem tweeted, "If this report is true and Roe v. Wade is overturned, I will immediately call for a special session to save lives and guarantee every unborn child has a right to life in South Dakota."
Democrats are promising to fight back. This one is from Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, "Our work is more important than ever. I'll fight like hell to protect abortion access in Michigan."
Let's bring in John Kasich, the former Republican governor of Ohio and a senior CNN political commentator.
Sir, good to have you.
Let's start here. Back in 2018, you signed what at the time was one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country. By CNN's count, you signed more than 20 laws restricting abortion access in 8 years as governor.
Your reaction to this draft opinion?
JOHN KASICH, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, it's going to be a decision that governors and legislatures will make all across the country. And it will depend on what the people, you know, in each state think. So, we just going to have to see.
There will be some places that will -- I can't tell you exactly what they're going to do, but there will be more restrictions. If, in fact, this turns out to be true. Let's just wait and see what the court finally does.
But at the end of the day, it will be up to governors and legislators. And it will have an impact on the races for governors across the country.
BLACKWELL: OK, that sends me in two different directions. Let's start here with what this means for women in some of those states where there will be outright bans.
As I said, you signed 20 bills into law that restricted abortions. But you vetoed the Heartbeat Bill twice. You thought that was a step too far. That will likely be less restrictive than some laws in some states.
So as this patchwork comes together, how do you navigate that across a country this diverse?
KASICH: Each state is going to have to decide, Victor, what they want to do. And it will not just take a governor to make a decision. It will take legislators as well. And you probably will have a patchwork if, in fact, this happens.
So what the court is basically saying is it's going to be up to the states to decide what they're going to do. And we'll have to wait and see what each state decides to do.
You have the governor of Michigan saying one thing. I don't know what the legislature is saying. Maybe some places, they're going to say, you know, we're going to restrict abortion up to 15 weeks or something like that.
We just have to wait and see. Speculation is nothing more than that, speculation.
BLACKWELL: What do you make of the polling that shows that this is highly unpopular, 70 percent, according to the latest polls we have, from CNN, earlier this year, do not support overturning Roe v. Wade.
So this decision is out of step with most American people, what they believe about the rights to abortion.
KASICH: Well, you know, the court has to take a look at what the law is and whether the Roe v. Wade is part of the Constitution, all those kinds of things. And they make a decision about what they think.
And you know, the court is the third side of our government. You have the legislative. You have the executive. And now you have the court.
And the court's made decisions in the 1970s, which probably some people didn't agree with, and now they're going to make another decision.
Let's wait to see what this addition is at the end of the day before we conclude as to what all these leaks are saying they're going to do.
But if, in fact, they do that, then again, Victor, it's going to be up to the states to decide what they want to do.
And the people will be able to speak through their legislators and in terms of who their governor is. BLACKWELL: I get that. The branches of government -- we get that.
KASICH: Right.
[14:34:56]
BLACKWELL: But these are also justices, Governor Kasich, who, when they were being confirmed, respected precedent, respected stare decisis, understood that, as one said, precedent on precedent, and now this seems like a dramatic shift.
How do you interpret what they said during their confirmation hearings, versus what's in this opinion from Justice Alito?
KASICH: I'm not an expert in the Supreme Court hearings, Victor. I don't know all the things that they said when they were appearing before the Congress. I think most people knew, though.
I think you would agree with this, wouldn't you, that when you had somebody who was a conservative Republican pro-life person being nominated, this was the fear that people had who didn't want to see Roe v. Wade changed.
I mean, you're not surprised at this, are you? That this court would move in this direction?
BLACKWELL: Senator Collins is surprised. She thought that when Brett Kavanaugh and --
(CROSSTALK)
BLACKWELL: -- and justice -- now Justice Gorsuch told her that they respected precedent --
KASICH: right.
BLACKWELL: -- that that was something she could depend upon.
KASICH: Right. Well, I mean, it's going to be up to what she wants to do about this, You mean? I mean, is it possible that the Congress may move to do something else? It's possible.
BLACKWELL: Like impeachment?
KASICH: I don't know how she's going to vote.
No, not like impeachment. No.
(CROSSTALK)
BLACKWELL: OK, so what is your suggestion?
KASICH: What do you mean? What do you mean by that, Victor? What do you mean, like impeachment? What do you mean? It's going to be up to her to decide.
And again, I want to go back to the fact that, if, in fact, the court rules this way --
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BLACKWELL: Up to her to decide what, Senator?
Governor, what are you saying? Up to her to decide what?
KASICH: If she wants to do something in federal law or whatever. I suppose there's going to be things that are going to be explored, options that will be explored. We're just going to have to wait and see how she acts on that.
I'm not a fortune teller, Victor. I can't tell you exactly what's going to happen here.
What I can tell you, if there's no further federal action by the Congress, if there's none is taken, if, in fact, the court does what it's going to do, then it's going to be up to each governor and each legislator.
I don't know how many times I can really tell you this. And I'm not sure where you're going --
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BLACKWELL: I'm asking you different questions and you're giving me the same answer.
One more question here. Do you think this is a motivator, that this energizes --
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KASICH: I'm not trying to avoid -- Victor, I'm not avoiding your question.
You're saying to me that the majority of the people by a latest poll says X and the court rules something else.
BLACKWELL: Yes.
KASICH: As though -- but the court is empowered to make decisions in regard to the Constitution. That's the way the system works.
BLACKWELL: I hear you, Governor.
KASICH: The fact that they make a decision --
(CROSSTALK)
KASICH: The fact they made a decision like this -- you know, again, I don't know what all the polls are. I know that when it came to the 15- week or whatever it was ban, that the vast majority of Americans supported it.
I mean, I'm not trying to avoid. I'm just trying to tell you what the facts are on the ground, my friend.
BLACKWELL: I understand that. But, Governor, I'm telling you what the latest public opinion poll is, which is not irrelevant.
KASICH: Yes.
BLACKWELL: It is certainly relevant here. That's part of the conversation.
Let me get back to the question on motivators.
KASICH: I didn't say -- Victor, I didn't say it wasn't relevant. I just said it's not the way the court -- the court doesn't look at public opinion polls to make decisions. They make decisions based on what they perceive as legitimate legal grounds.
BLACKWELL: I understand that. Thank you, Governor.
KASICH: OK.
BLACKWELL: Let me get back to the question I'm trying to get an answer to. What this means for November. Is this a motivator? In Ohio, specifically?
KASICH: Sure.
BLACKWELL: Because the latest polls we see there's that inflation is what is driving voters to the polls.
It may not be something that is energizing voters today. We're talking primary races. But in November, is this going to move votes?
KASICH: I think it will, Victor. I think, you know, it comes now at the midterm, so you know, there's still time to pass.
But I think, at the end of the day, it is likely to cost Republicans some seats, is what I think.
At the same time, remember that even the base of the Republican Party, filled by a number of African-Americans who are pro-life and Hispanics who are pro-life, it's not so simple.
But I think take everything into account, my sense would be that this is something that's going to cost Republicans some seats, particularly in the House. As to the United States Senate, I don't know.
BLACKWELL: Former governor of Ohio, John Kasich, always good to have you on, sir.
KASICH: Thank you, Victor.
BLACKWELL: All right, sir, thank you.
[14:39:34]
America's top military official issues a new warning as new intel suggests President Putin may officially declare war on Ukraine next week.
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BLACKWELL: U.S. and Western officials believe that Vladimir Putin may soon change the way he describes his invasion and could formally declare war on Ukraine as soon as May 9th.
By mid-May, Putin could also annex the eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk. That's according to highly credible U.S. intelligence reports.
America's top military officials described how a war declaration could lead to more Russian troops on the ground. But might not help Russia.
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GEN. LLOYD AUSTIN, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: He would be able to mobilize more people, but to adequately train those people to be more effective than what we've seen thus far, that's questionable.
[14:45:04]
GEN. MARK MILLEY, CHAIR, U.S. JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: The Ukrainians are practicing a decentralized, intent-based set of tactics.
The Russians are practicing a top-down, very, very top-heavy directive in nature sort of set of orders coming from the top, which is not necessarily the best thing to do in a dynamic battlefield.
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BLACKWELL: Joining me now from the White House is Amanda Sloat. She is special assistant to President Biden and senior director for Europe on the National Security Council.
Amanda, thank you for your time.
Let's start here with what you're learning about the capabilities of Russian soldiers. We heard some discussion there of the Ukrainian military. What do you know about the Russians?
AMANDA SLOAT, SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO PRESIDENT BIDEN y SENIOR DIRECTOR FOR EUROPE, NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL: Well, I think we have seen how Russia's performance has been on the battlefield, which I think as the top U.S. military officials briefed to Congress this morning, has been disappointing.
And I think we are continuing to see that this war, thus far, has been a strategic defeat for Russia.
BLACKWELL: Let's look ahead to Monday, this Victory Day, important on the Russian calendar, May 9th.
There's U.S., Western intelligence that maybe they will declare war officially on Ukraine. Others suggest maybe they will just declare victory. What's the expectation of what will happen on Monday? And what that
could mean for the next few weeks and months of this war?
SLOAT: Well, the first thing that I would say is Victory in Europe day is not something that belongs to Russia alone.
The holiday is going to be celebrated across Europe on May 8th and May 9th to commemorate the day when unified efforts came together to defeat Nazi Germany at the end of World War II.
That included the United States, many of our European allies, as well as the former Soviet Union, including both Russians and Ukrainians. So, this is a broader holiday that we should not let be co-opted by President Putin on the 9th.
I'm not going to speak to broader intelligence on this. I'm not going to speculate what Putin might do.
But it's already clear that he's launched an unjustified and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine.
And our position on May 9th is going to be the same as it's been every day for the last two and a half months, which is to continue giving Ukraine the security assistance it needs to defend itself.
BLACKWELL: So, a declaration of war or declaration of a victory, that would not shift the U.S. response, the U.S. strategy at all?
SLOAT: I think you saw Secretary Austin speak to this in the congressional hearing this morning. The United States has been giving Ukraine security assistance to be able to defend itself.
President Biden currently is in Alabama, speaking to workers at a javelin factory, which is one of the key elements of security assistance that we have given.
The president sent a supplemental request to Congress last week asking for funding to continue providing security assistance.
And that's what our strategy has been and that's what our strategy is going to remain going forward, which is giving the tools to enable Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression.
BLACKWELL: The Ukrainians, they've regained some territory around Kharkiv. It's the largest city in the east.
Are you confident that these gains can be -- they can keep them, keep that control of this territory as the war continues?
SLOAT: I'm not going to get into the specifics of what's happening on the battlefield as it's obviously a very fluid situation.
But we certainly have seen the Ukrainians fight very valiantly and successfully to defend their country. And so our posture remains very much one of continuing to support them as they do so.
BLACKWELL: All right. Amanda Sloat, with us from the White House, thank you.
SLOAT: Thank you.
BLACKWELL: All right, breaking developments in the Alabama manhunt for corrections officer and an inmate. We have new details on a car they were last seen in. We've got details ahead.
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BLACKWELL: An intense manhunt continues for a violent criminal and an Alabama corrections officer that authorities say helped him escape from jail.
The town sheriff now says that the officer, Vicky White, and prisoner Casey White had no relation, but a special relationship, a relationship her family says they knew nothing about.
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PAT DAVID, VICKY WHITE'S MOTHER (voice-over): I never heard of him, never seen his picture, nothing. Didn't know anything about him.
She's always been what I would say a good person. And like I say, this is all a shock.
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BLACKWELL: They were last seen in a 2007 Ford Edge with unknown Alabama plates. They also could be armed with an A.R.-15 and a shotgun.
The U.S. labor market remained on fire in March as the Great Resignation continues across the country. A record 4.5 million workers quit their jobs in March according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Meanwhile, available jobs also rose, climbing to 11.5 million. That is the highest level since the data series began in December 2000.
That means that the U.S. is at 1.9 job openings for every unemployed worker in the March.
More than 200 sailors have been moved off the "USS George Washington" aircraft carrier after multiple deaths among the crew.
According to the Navy, three crew members on the ship took their own lives in less than 1 week in April. Now over the last 12 months, seven members of the crew have died.
The troubling string of deaths is prompting the Navy to open an investigation into the command climate and culture onboard the Nimitz- class carrier.
Many Democrats argue that this draft opinion aimed to dismantle abortion rights is a rallying call going into the midterms. We'll talk about the political ramifications next.
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[14:57:00]
BLACKWELL: Almost the top of the hour here on CNN NEWSROOM. Good to have to you with me. I'm Victor Blackwell.
Abortion rights supporters are now on the Supreme Court steps there right now to protest the court's stunning draft opinion that would strike down Roe v. Wade, that landmark ruling that legalized abortion in 1973.
This opinion by Justice Samuel Alito was published by "Politico." Justice Alito wrote this, in part:
"The inescapable conclusion is that a right to abortion is not deeply rooted in the nation's history and traditions."
Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the draft is authentic. But cautioned that it is not final. And he's launched an investigation to find out who leaked it.
President Biden said this would be radical move and called on Congress to act to protect a woman's right to choose.
Senate GOP leader, Mitch McConnell, said moments ago that whoever leaked the draft opinion must be found and dealt with.
While Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer, is promising the chamber will hold a vote on protecting abortion rights.
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SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): This is as urgent and real as it gets. We will vote to protect a woman's right to choose. And every American is going to see which side every Senator stands.
SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY): The integrity and independence of the Supreme Court is once again under attack.
I hope that the leaker, that is extremely likely to be found, given the limited number of people who have the ability to access early drafts of opinions, will be dealt with as severely as the law may allow.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACKWELL: CNN's chief white house correspondent, Kaitlan Collins, is with me now.
Kaitlan, President Biden, his chief of staff, other senior advisers huddled at the White House today over this draft opinion. What are you learning about that conversation?
KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUE CORRESPONDENT: Yes, this is a meeting that they had, Victor, before the president came here to the Lockheed Martin facility where he was expecting to talk about Ukraine, spending the day focusing on that.
Of course, this news that broke last night has totally changed what they spent the morning going over before he made his trip here to Troy. And that is this bombshell decision coming out the Supreme Court, this draft that, of course, the Supreme Court confirmed is authentic.
And this is something that sent the White House scrambling last night as well, Victor, because it caught them as off guard as the rest of us. And they did not know this was going to be coming out until "Politico" h ad promised this news, letting them know about this draft ruling that they had seen.
And so the question now is how the White House handles it going forward and of course, the implications of the decision.
So they did not say anything last night. But you did see President Biden put out that statement today, calling on voters to elect more abortion rights supporters to Congress so they could pass a law that would codify Roe v. Wade.
[14:59:54]
So then it doesn't matter if the Supreme Court justices overturn it, which, of course, based on the opinion draft is the expectation.
Though, President Biden did talk about what he believes the implication of a ruling like this is.
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